Hyssop

A polymorphic aromatic herb. Essential oil is used for flavoring liqueurs.

Subshrubs. Stems 20-50(-80) cm, much branched, striate, pubescent. Leaves sessile, linear to lanceolate, 1-4 cm × 2-7 mm, glabrous, glandular, scabrous and finely strigose along margin, base attenuate to cuneate, margin slightly involute, apex obtuse. Verticillasters 3-7-flowered, axillary, secund, in spikes ca. 4 cm or sometimes in panicles to 10 cm; peduncle less than 1 mm; bracts and bracteoles linear-subulate, apex acute, longer than pedicels, 3-5 mm. Pedicel 0.5-1.5 mm. Calyx tubular, ca. 7.5 mm, veins puberulent, glandular between veins; teeth triangular-lanceolate, ca. 2.5 mm, apex short spinescent. Corolla bluish to purple, ca. 1 cm, puberulent; tube ca. 7 mm, nearly included; upper lip ovate, erect, ca. 2.5 mm, 2-lobed; lower lip spreading, middle lobe wider than ovate lateral lobes. Anterior stamens much exserted. Ovary glabrous. Fl. Jun.

Cultivated in China [Europe]